THE traditional Christmas Eve hunt in Upton-upon-Severn took place on foot rather than on horseback this year because of the icy and snowy conditions.

The Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt met on Friday morning outside the Kings Head on Riverside where there was a brass band playing carols.

The conditions were too cold and slippery for the horses but around 50 hunts people and the hounds gathered and the hunt’s honorary secretary Anna Millington described the event as a success.

“It was really good. Although it is not the same without the horses I think it went very well,” she said.

The hunt left Upton just before noon watched by local people.

Miss Millington said the turnout had not been as good as previous years but those who turned up went out on foot and had a good morning.